Annotated Text Assignment
Aaron Frescas
Education 466
Theme The debate over the institution of slavery is a primary reason that led the United States into the bloodiest war in it’s history. At the core of this war, were African Americans and equality. Victimized by the shackles of slavery, the treatment of African Americans has been an elephant in the room throughout American history. This precedent was key during the Civil War. Due to slavery, blacks were prevalent in the armies of the South as labor or servants, but after the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, blacks were volunteering to join the Union forces at an alarming rate. This rampant enlistment, played a vital role in the Union’s victory. Black regiments, like the Massachusetts 54th, were well known for their heroism and valor in many Union victories. Yet, what fueled African Americans to fight for a country that had treated them with inequality and enslavement was the promise of freedom. The emancipation proclamation promised freedom for blacks. It proclaimed to all blacks that enlisted into the Union army, that after a contract of service, that they would be considered free men and considered citizens. The text list that I compiled is full of primary sources, artwork, books, and websites that tackle this dominant theme of the Civil War: Blacks and Emancipation. These texts cover the relationship between emancipation and the historical significance of black soldiers. I chose this theme to be used within an eleventh grade history classroom. The reason why I decided to integrate this theme in an eleventh grade classroom is because it shows a social connection between the Civil War and civil rights. It asks students to analyze the significance of African American soldiers and their role in race relations. The Civil War is covered in eighth and eleventh grade social studies classrooms, but I feel that this theme is not suitable for eight grade because eighth grade classrooms only go up to the Civil War
Education 466
Theme The debate over the institution of slavery is a primary reason that led the United States into the bloodiest war in it’s history. At the core of this war, were African Americans and equality. Victimized by the shackles of slavery, the treatment of African Americans has been an elephant in the room throughout American history. This precedent was key during the Civil War. Due to slavery, blacks were prevalent in the armies of the South as labor or servants, but after the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, blacks were volunteering to join the Union forces at an alarming rate. This rampant enlistment, played a vital role in the Union’s victory. Black regiments, like the Massachusetts 54th, were well known for their heroism and valor in many Union victories. Yet, what fueled African Americans to fight for a country that had treated them with inequality and enslavement was the promise of freedom. The emancipation proclamation promised freedom for blacks. It proclaimed to all blacks that enlisted into the Union army, that after a contract of service, that they would be considered free men and considered citizens. The text list that I compiled is full of primary sources, artwork, books, and websites that tackle this dominant theme of the Civil War: Blacks and Emancipation. These texts cover the relationship between emancipation and the historical significance of black soldiers. I chose this theme to be used within an eleventh grade history classroom. The reason why I decided to integrate this theme in an eleventh grade classroom is because it shows a social connection between the Civil War and civil rights. It asks students to analyze the significance of African American soldiers and their role in race relations. The Civil War is covered in eighth and eleventh grade social studies classrooms, but I feel that this theme is not suitable for eight grade because eighth grade classrooms only go up to the Civil War